Akloner
Anchorage, Ak
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Joined: 05/15/2004
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If gas prices continue to drop I am planning a trip for early spring in my 24 ft C Class. What is the earliest date I should look at if I want to avoid tough road conditions and closed campsites. I don't mine staying in major towns but I don't want to deal with icy grades. I'm used to driving in Alaska but I really don't want to use chains on the RV. I have driven the Alcan six time now but only in summer months and most recently last late May. It was wonderful although the gas prices were out of sight in some places. I noticed that a lot of businesses were closing down and the traffic was slim. It concerns me when planning distances for gas stops but I ended up having problems. Wonder how it is now. I bet those mountain passes don't clear till late April.
Dave
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Akloner
Anchorage, Ak
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I meant no problem on gas stops!
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mpfireman
Cook County Il
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Joined: 12/26/2003
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When we went to Alaska in 1999, we took of from the Chicago area almost two weeks prior to Memorial Day. There were a lot of closed camp sites, but again there were enough open that we really had no problems. We even dry camped at some Filling stations, as there was enough room there, plus we fueled up there. As for fuel, we never had a problem, but we carried 10 extra gallons of diesel, just in case. The main camping season usually runs from Memorial Day, to Labor Day. After Labor Day the pace slows down up there, as some of your tourist shops close. We only went as far in as Anchorage and Fairbanks plus we camped for 1 week in Denali Nat Park, our intended destination. But on he way back home, we stopped off at Glacier Nat park, there the mountain pass was closed due to it having 80' of snow. You could hear them using explosives in there attempt to clear the roadway. The ranger stated that this road to the Sun sometimes is not cleared until July. But you should have no problems finding fuel.
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Veebyes
Bermuda
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Joined: 11/24/2003
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We did Alaska this spring. Left MD 2nd week of April. Crossed the Yukon the 2nd week of May. Denali on Memorial Day. No snow on the roads anywhere (except when we got snowed in at a WI COE CG which was opened just for us). No reservations made, or needed, anywhere. It was a little cool but that had more to do with spring being a little late this year.
We would do an early trip again. Snow is still on the mountain tops. There are no crowds. Most attractions are open.
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luvglass
Milwaukee
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Joined: 12/01/2005
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We just returned from the summer up there and are already talking about our next trip in a couple of years. Next time we would cross into Canada the last week of April to the first week of May at the latest.
I think early would be better, get there before the crowds.
Fred
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RetiredGuy
Colorado
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Hi Fred,
We too are talking about another trip to Alaska. This year we left Colorado on May 9 and entered Alaska around May 15. Next time we would leave at least two weeks earlier. Probably plan on entering Canada by May 1. There is so much to see and do that we would try to maximize our time there. Even if some of the campgrounds are closed, we would dry camp along the way. This summer we didn't see any crowds but I am guessing that the fuel prices kept many away. Keep in touch as we might do a "loose" trip together. Shortly after we got back to Colorado, there was a big snow storm in Montana and Wyoming. We got home on October 1 and just missed that.
Robert & Leslie
Robert
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DonP
N-E-Where-USA
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In 2005 we entered Alaska on Memorial day after 8 days crossing Canada. The only snow we saw was in the mountains and at Thompson Pass but none on any road. The next time we will go at least 2 weeks earlier.
Don
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bangthemup
Spokane, Wa
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In 2006, we went up in the first of May, little cool and not everything open yet but never had any problem finding fuel or a camp site. Camp site were cheaper because they did not have all the water running yet or pre season. Did not fight crowd,traffic or snow.
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